THE US NATIONAL SECURITY SPENDING AND THE AMERICAN NATIONAL INTEREST: A SOUTHEAST ASIAN PERSPECTIVE

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Norulhuda Othman

Abstract

This paper is the result of observations and qualitative analysis made during a six weeks programme organised by the US State Department, the Study of the US Institutes on the US Political Economy and the Global Economic Systems, from June 15 – July 29, 2006. During the program participants coming from 18 different countries across the globe were exposed to various levels of society in various locations which included Carlisle, Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C. and Atlanta. These observations were based on interactions with locals, academics, professionals, government officials, politicians, and fellow participants. One of the issues highlighted in group discussions and presentations was the extend to which the US Budget is allocated for national security and the apparent incoherence of this spending if compared to the public interest of the American citizenry. This article will explore some of the reasons stated for the high level of national security spending and the incoherence or coherence of this spending with the American ‘national interest’.


Keywords: National security, interest, budget, political economy, and American citizentry

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